Aposelemis Dam: Our most recommended tours and activities

Crete: Lasithi Plateau and Cave of Zeus Off Road Safari Tour

1. Crete: Lasithi Plateau and Cave of Zeus Off Road Safari Tour

Discover traditional life in rural Crete by witnessing the daily activities of the locals and visiting the sites where Greek myths were born. Enjoy a tour of Potamies, Aposelemis dam, Empasa, the cave of Zeus, and the beautiful scenery of the plateau. Start with pickup from your accommodation. Visit one of the most characteristic Cretan villages, Potamies, for a tour of a traditional local farm. See the process of milking and cheese-making, meet the animals, and sample their fresh cheese. Next, head to the Aposelemis dam, the largest water supply project in Crete. See the village of Sfendili submerged in the waters of the dam with its impressive old houses fading on the surface of the water. Explore the natural wetlands and spot a unique variety of birds. Continue uphill on the dirt roads to the gorge of Empasa. Enjoy the views of the mountainous landscape and thriving wildlife. Try your hand at foraging for native herbs or relax and take in the panoramic views. Take a trip to Lassithi Plateau to enter Psychro Cave, the fabled birthplace of the Greek God Zeus. Follow the trails of the gods and after that take a tour around the plateau to get a sense of local life. Finally, enjoy authentic food baked in the wood oven in one of the most celebrated taverns in the picturesque village of Krasi. Admire the town square filled with fountains and see imposing plane trees that are up to 2000 years old. Return to your hotel full of unforgettable memories of Crete.

Zeus Cave and Lassithi Plateau Day Tour

2. Zeus Cave and Lassithi Plateau Day Tour

Start your tour with pick up in an air-conditioned Land Rover from your accommodations at 10 AM and head into the Dikti Mountain Range. You'll pass through several traditional and very picturesque mountain villages. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos or to have a coffee at a real taverna. At the Lassithi Plateau, you might see eagles and vultures, as both nest around this area. Next, you’ll reach the base of Mount Spathi. The Psychro Cave, the birth place of the Greek god Zeus, is located on the north face of Spathi. You’ll walk 15 minutes up the steep hill to the entrance of the cave and from there follow the path down into the spectacular cave.   Next, enjoy a traditional Cretan meze lunch with local wine. After lunch, you'll continue around the plateau and then descend taking in views of the north coast and the impressive Aposelemis Dam. You will then visit a 2400-year-old plane tree, the oldest on the island, as well as the Selinari Monastery.

Crete: Land Rover Safari with Sunset Viewing, Dinner, & Wine

3. Crete: Land Rover Safari with Sunset Viewing, Dinner, & Wine

Explore the Cretan mountains outside of Heraklion from the seat of a Land Rover during a guided day tour. Witness a stunning sunset over the Lassithi Plateau before stopping off for a local-style BBQ dinner with wine. Begin your journey with hotel pickup and make your way through the magnificent mountains of Crete. Visit the Aposelemis Dam and an ancient Roman aqueduct as your guide shares interesting insight. Next, stop off in the picturesque village of Kastamonitsa, nestled in the foothills of the Afendi Mountains. Enjoy the chance to sample local products such as olive oil and raki, a distilled alcoholic drink made with grapes and anise. Back in the vehicle, brace yourself as you venture down dirt tracks and follow the Minoan path through mountain passes. Catch spectacular views of wildlife and unbelievable scenery, learning about mythology and history along the way. Take a break to relax over a glass of prosecco and fresh fruit salad while admiring the sunset. Be sure to take plenty of photos to share of the amazing backdrop. After building up an appetite, head to a local tavern for a delicious Cretan-style meal that will include appetizers and main courses as well as vegetarian options. Wash down the food with unlimited wine served with dinner. Make your way back down the mountain roads as you head toward your hotel, marveling at the views of the moonlit coastline and illuminated towns along the way.

Crete: Island Jeep Tour with BBQ

4. Crete: Island Jeep Tour with BBQ

An incredible day with a team of professionals will be filled with extremes and entertainment! A day that will leave the best and warmest memories of Crete will start early in the morning. A transfer from the hotel will pick you up and take you to the team meeting point. If you have a driver's license, you will be able to drive a jeep by yourself and experience extreme driving on off roads. However, if you do not have a driver's license or you just want to relax, we will provide you with a driver. After meeting your guide and a brief briefing on the day's plan, you will set off on an unforgettable journey. The first location you will be able to enjoy will be Aposelemis Dam. A place of incredible beauty, where you definitely won't be able to resist taking a couple of incredible photos. Continuing along the serpentines and admiring the mountain scenery, you will reach the traditional village of Askoi, where you can taste some traditional delicious or simply enjoy a cup of aromatic coffee. At the middle of the day, an unforgettable BBQ awaits you near the church of Agia Anna, where you can eat deliciously, relax, catch your breath and regain your strength. On the way home, you will see an extremely beautiful landscape combining sea and mountains.

From Hersonissos: Quad Bike Safari in the Mountains of Crete

5. From Hersonissos: Quad Bike Safari in the Mountains of Crete

Depart Hersonissos on a Quad Bike safari into the mountains of Crete and discover a more authentic side of the island as you get back to nature on small, traffic-free roads. Drive to the traditional villages of Koutouloufari, Piscopiano and old Hersonissos before heading to the Lasithi plateau. Continue along the riverbed en route to the village of Potamies, and pass small gardens of fruit trees and olive groves along the way. Enjoy the scent of different herbs and listen to the sound of millions of tiny tsitsikia (insects). Visit some small churches and see sheep and goats grazing as you continue to the traditional village of Karouzanos. Stop at a café before driving towards Askous village. Get an amazing view of Lyttos and Kasteli before traveling downhill to the village. Enjoy an authentic tsikoudia (raki) and some tasty snacks. Then, continue downhill to the Aposelemis dam and underwater village of Sfentili en route to the Panagias monastery. 

Heraklion: Sunset Safari with Dinner & Prosecco

6. Heraklion: Sunset Safari with Dinner & Prosecco

Our journey starts from your hotel making our way through the breathtaking mountains of Crete we visit the Aposelemis basin reservoir and an ancient Roman aqueduct. From here, we will visit the quaint village of Kastamonitsa nestling in the foothills of the Afendi Mountains where you will be introduced to a local product, Raki. Now brace yourselves for dirt tracks, following the Minoan path going through mountain passes, experiencing spectacular wildlife, unbelievable scenery, mythology, history and enjoy seeing the local nature at its best. For our next stop, we will relax with a glass of prosecco with fruits whilst admiring the birds-eye view of the plateau of Lassithi and the North coast, a great photo opportunity not to be missed. After building up an appetite we head for a Cretan-style evening meal at a local taverna with lots of surprises. Where you will have the opportunity to try a selection of traditional local starters and main courses (vegetarian option available) and enjoy a glass or two of the unlimited wine! Leaving the tavern, meandering down the mountain roads we will take in the views of the moonlit coastline dotted with the twinkling lights of the towns and villages.

From Heraklion: Villages Day Trip with Cretan Lunch and Wine

7. From Heraklion: Villages Day Trip with Cretan Lunch and Wine

This tour is for all you foodies out there! The tour starts with a tour around the villages of the province. Afterwards we visit a cave of mythological significance and interest where we will stop for a refreshing seasonal fruit. Then a visit to the unique sinking village Sfendili which is located near the Aposelemis dam. It is then time to visit the traditional village and try Cretan delicacies. You will enjoy a rich meal at the tavern located at the square of the village and have the chance to taste various flavors of the Cretan cuisine. The tours ends beautifully with a stop to admire the breathtaking view of the northern coastline.

Crete: Lasithi Plateau Off-Road Land Rover Safari with Lunch

8. Crete: Lasithi Plateau Off-Road Land Rover Safari with Lunch

Experience being driven off-road in a Land Rover through traditional mountain villages and historic landmarks on this Lasithi Plateau safari with lunch. Visit the Cave of Psychro, see the Roman aqueduct, and more. Admire the view from Afentis to the north, south, and west side of the island. The day starts in Hersonissos (Chersonisos). After the necessary briefing from the driver, head south towards the Lasithi Plateau. The road soon leads to the Aposelemis Dam. There you can see the abandoned village of Sfendili, which, depending on the water level, is visible or not. Continue driving on the provincial road among the olive groves to the picturesque village of Amariano. Here you can have a drink and see the remains of the Roman aqueduct. Then, the off-road driving begins. The landscape becomes wilder and the altitude increasing quickly. If you’re lucky, spot the vultures that fly in the area. The road ends at the fertile Lasithi Plateau where there were once more than 1000 windmills, which pumped groundwater to irrigate the fields. Next, stop at the impressive Cave of Psychro (Dikteon Cave) at an altitude of 1025 m. There, according to mythology, Zeus was born. The cave is considered an archeological site and can be visited for a surcharge. To reach the cave, follow a beautiful and short uphill path. If you do not want to walk, there are donkeys that take visitors to the cave for a fee. Right after your visit to the cave, get the opportunity to taste traditional Cretan cuisine in a local restaurant. After your meal, start your return. Travel through the col, where the windmills that the locals used to grind their flour are still standing. A few kilometers later, visit Keras Monastery (Monastery Panagia Kera Kardiotissa), one of the most important religious monuments in Crete. Due to its central location between Heraklion and the Lasithi Plateau, the monastery was used as a shelter for Cretan freedom fighters. Within a few months, between October 1866 and June 1867, Panagia Kera was burned twice by Omer Pasha's army. On the way back, make a final stop in the village of Mohos for a drink of raki (alcoholic drink). The view from the road to the Cretan Sea, Mallia, and Hersonissos as the sun sets is a perfect way to end the day.

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What people are saying about Aposelemis Dam

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 42 reviews

Wir hatten einen super lieben Fahrer, der alles toll erklärt hat (Natur, griechische Mythologie,…). Es war ein sehr schöner Ausflug, den wir unbedingt weiterempfehlen können! Vor allem, wenn man mal aus den eigentlichen Touri-Orten rauskommen möchte (Latishi-Hochebene). Der Weg zur Zeushöhle kann allerdings wieder etwas überfüllt sein und der Weg ist relativ steil. Für geheingeschränkte Personen leider nicht geeignet. Das Mittagessen war super lecker und klassisch griechisch. Hier wird vorher auch nach Essenswünschen (vegetarisch, kein Schwein,…) gefragt.

Our adventure was incredible! We were picked up on time, with 6 of us in the Land Rover. Our host Mike was very funny and knowledgeable. We had some amazing views as we drove up the dirt path up the mountain, with the most spectacular sunset at the top with fruit and champagne. The food at the taverna was nice. Being in the back of the Land Rover wasn’t great, on the bench rather than a proper seat, but we each switched around every stop so it wasn’t so bad.

Highly recommend the trip to Zeus cave. Our tour guide- Petra, was amazing and answered any questions that we had. The views were out of this world and Petra kindly pulled over to allow our group to take some amazing photos. Thank you!

Honestly the best trip I’ve ever done, it was so fun, interesting & had breathtaking views. Our tour guide Demetris made the day so enjoyable

It was great, our guide Andreas was friendly and knowledgeable. He kept the tour entertaining and exciting. 10/10 experience :)